Chris’s chronic pain journey: “Some days, a phone call was the only thing that reminded me I wasn’t alone.”
More than a decade ago, Chris’s life changed in a way she never could have predicted. What began as a simple injury at home developed into a rare and debilitating condition that would reshape every part of her life, from her career to her confidence, and even her sense of identity.
Today, Chris is not only navigating life with chronic pain but also using her voice to campaign for change, and she credits The Brain Charity with helping her through some of her most difficult moments.
The moment everything changed
Chris had spent years raising three children as a single parent, often juggling responsibilities without much support.
Despite financial and emotional challenges, she worked hard to build a future for herself.
Eventually, she found what she describes as her “dream job.”
“I’d done the training, put the effort in, and I finally got there. They were some of the best years of my life.”
But everything changed after a seemingly minor accident at home.
“At first, I thought it was nothing serious. I could still walk, just about, so I carried on.”
Weeks later, the pain hadn’t gone away. In fact, it had become unbearable.
A diagnosis few people understand
After months of worsening symptoms, Chris was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a condition so rare that even many healthcare professionals have limited experience with it.
She explained:
“You can go a long way before you find someone who’s even heard of it.”
The pain she experienced was constant and extreme.
“It felt like my leg was being torn apart, like glass was embedded in it. But you couldn’t see any of that. That was the hardest part.”
Due to the absence of visible symptoms, Chris often felt misunderstood.
“I was made to feel like I was exaggerating. Like it was somehow my fault.”
When pain takes over everything
As her condition progressed, Chris’s mobility declined dramatically.
There were times when she couldn’t walk at all.
“I ended up shuffling around my home on the floor. I couldn’t get off the couch. I was completely immobile.”
Complications followed, including infections, blood clots, and the side effects of long-term medication. Sleep became almost impossible.
“I’d be so exhausted, but the pain wouldn’t let me rest. I’d lie there crying.”
The life she once knew, full of movement, dancing, and socialising, began to slip away.
“I used to love salsa dancing, swimming, and cycling. Suddenly, all of that was gone.”
Finding the right support
For years, Chris struggled to find the right treatment and understanding. It wasn’t until she connected with The Walton Centre through the NHS that she began to feel heard.
From there, she was introduced to The Brain Charity.
“They helped me with things I didn’t even realise I needed help with.”
Chris first accessed support with benefits and practical advice. But one service, in particular, had a lasting impact: the befriending service.
“That call meant everything”
For around three years, Chris received weekly calls from a volunteer befriender. Those conversations became a lifeline.
“Sometimes she’d call right when everything felt like it was falling apart. And I’d just think, thank goodness.”
Living with chronic pain had left her isolated.
“You don’t realise how alone you are until someone takes the time to listen.”
The calls gave her something she had been missing for a long time: connection.
“It reminded me that I mattered. That someone cared enough to check in.”
Rebuilding life, piece by piece
Living with CRPS has meant adapting to a completely different way of life. Chris has had to give up hobbies, change routines, and find new ways to cope, both physically and emotionally.
“There’s a real sense of losing who you used to be.”
But over time, she has found ways to move forward. From retaking exams to learning new skills, Chris continues to challenge herself.
“I decided to retake math’s at 50, and I passed. I felt like a brain surgeon.”
She has also learned an important mindset shift:
“You have to accept the pain. Fighting it all the time makes it harder.”
Turning experience into action
Chris’s journey hasn’t just been about personal recovery; it’s also led her to become an advocate.
She is now involved in national campaigning work, speaking out about poverty, disability, and inequality.
Through her work with Changing Realities, she has helped influence discussions at the highest levels, even visiting Downing Street to share her experiences with policymakers.
“It’s about making sure people like me are heard.”
She is passionate about challenging misconceptions around disability and benefits.
“People think if you’re not working, you’re not contributing. But that’s not true.”
Still moving forward
Life with CRPS remains challenging. The condition is unpredictable, often described by those who live with it as “the condition that keeps on giving.”
But Chris continues to push forward, balancing her health, her family, and her desire to make a difference.
She still keeps in touch with The Brain Charity’s services, reads newsletters, and reaches out when needed.
And she hasn’t forgotten the impact of those early days of support.
“If I could say thank you to the person who used to call me every week, I would.”
Published: 15 April 2026
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